Week 6 Discussions and Required Resources
Two-part assignment: All parts must be at least 200 words unless otherwise noted. Please read all attachments and follow ALL instructions.
Part 1: Comparing Financial Ratios
Go to MSN Money (Links to an external site.). (http://investing.money.msn.com/investments/key-ratios) and type in a ticker symbol for a company with the first letter of your last name (W).
Next, complete the following:
1. On the company page that you selected click on the Analysis tab. After doing so, scroll down the page until you see the Financial ratios for the company and the industry.
2. There are several categories listed for ratios. Select one Financial Condition Ratio and one Management Efficiency Ratio.
3. Also on the company page, on the same ribbon that you found the Analysis tab you will find the Related tab. Click on it and select a competitive company within that industry and compare those ratios to the ones you just found.
Examine your findings and determine whether your company outperforms its competition based on financial ratios. Identify where your firm seems to lag. Describe how your firm compares with the industry and speculate as to why you believe your firm is performing as it is.
Part 2: Potential Issues in Ratio Analysis
As your text describes, ratio analysis is a common technique in financial analysis. One of your colleagues states that a thorough ratio analysis is all that is needed in considering the financial health of a company. Although you agree that ratio analysis is a helpful guide, there may be some potential pitfalls in ratio analysis.
Discuss at least three potential issues in utilizing ratio analysis that you would share with your colleague. In addition, calculate a liquidity, profitability, and efficiency ratio from your Week Six company (Apple, Inc.) to demonstrate your observations.
Your post should be 200-words in length.
Required Resources
Text
Byrd, J., Hickman, K., & McPherson, M. (2013). Managerial finance [Electronic version]. Retrieved from https://content.ashford.edu/
Chapter 11: Financial Analysis Evaluation of Corporate Performance
Website
Network Status – MSN Money (Links to an external site.). (n.d.). Retrieved from http://investing.money.msn.com/investments/key-ratios